No Hiding Place for Bandits in Kwara, Says Governor Abdulrazaq

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has said that those responsible for the recent tragic attack on the Oke-Ode community in Ifelodun Local Government Area will not evade justice and has pledged to rid the state of bandits and kidnappers.
Several people were killed and locals were reportedly terrified when gunmen ambushed a traditional chief and local vigilantes in the area on Sunday.

The governor said he had already informed President Bola Tinubu about the incident in a statement released on Wednesday by his chief press secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye. He also reiterated his request for more federal deployment to secure the border communities in Kwara.

He said that as part of heightened military activities in the state, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 2nd Division had been moved to Ilorin by Army Headquarters.

On Monday night, AbdulRazaq revealed that the Army, DSS, and Police forces began a significant operation along the Kwara-Kogi border near Baba Sango.

“Approximately 15 armed bandits were neutralized during an operation by the Army, DSS, and Police combined troops on Monday night near Baba Sango, along the Kwara–Kogi boundary. On Tuesday, the same procedure was carried out,” he stated.

The governor went on to say that he chaired a State Security Council meeting at Government House in Ilorin on Tuesday night, when state and federal security resources were combined into a unified plan for operations in Kwara North and South.

Residents were reassured by AbdulRazaq that his government will keep supporting security forces and providing logistics to ensure the safety of people and property.

“The security forces have promised me that they will smoke out and remove the criminals from their hiding homes. We will use all available resources to combat insecurity. Kwara will not serve as a haven for criminals, he declared.

Gangs operating within the state’s boundaries were forewarned by the governor: “Any criminal who tries to disturb the peace in Kwara may flee, but you cannot evade justice.” Kwara’s citizens own it, and their tranquility will be protected.

Residents have expressed new concerns and calls for stricter security measures in response to the Oke-Ode killings, particularly in border areas where bandits are thought to be launching operations, according to reports.

The government’s promise coincides with stakeholders’ ongoing calls for long-term fixes to the state’s vulnerability.